Latushkina T. Clonal micropropagation and improvement of lavender in vitro

The object of the research is culture in vitro of isolated lavender meristems (Lavandula angustifolia Mill). The aim of the research is to study peculiar properties of morphogenesis in the culture of isolated lavender meristems in vitro and to develop a technology of clonal micropropagation and methods of treatment of planting stock of zone cultivars and prospective breeding material. The methods of research include culture of isolated tissues and organs, biological test on indicator plants, immune-enzyme analysis in indirect and sandwich modifications, thermotherapy in vitro, chemotherapy in vitro, green cutting of plants, biometrics, and mathematical statistics. During the research a complex study of peculiarities of clonal micropropagation and treatment of lavender planting stock is held for the first time, with the help of a variety of methods such as culture of apical meristes, thermotherapy in vitro and chemotherapy; morphogenetic potentialities of isolated lavender apical meristems in culture invitro are investigated; dependence of lavender regeneration processes on composition and consistence of nutrient medium, genotype, meristems’ position on shoots of donor plants, and period of meristems injection is shown; cultivation conditions at phases of micropropagation, rootage of microsprouts and acclimatization of microplants to conditions in vivo are optimized; a comparative study of efficiency of treatment techniques of apical meristems culture, thermotherapy in vitro and chemotherapy for curing the lavender plants from the Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) is conducted; peculiarities of breeding of the treated (cured) plants by means of green cutting with the use of growth-promoting factors are studied; technology of clonal micropropagation and biotechnological scheme of getting of the improved lavender planting stock is developed. The results of the research can be used in the spheres of lavender seed-growing and accelerated propagation and getting of improved original and highest-quality planting stock.